President Emmanuel Macron says France is to start closing its bases in northern Mali before the end of 2021. The country will initially move troops south, before reducing the numbers to around half - amounting to about 2,500 to 3,000 soldiers. Macron says the decision had been taken in line with the imperative of containing the spread of the threat to the south. The French president was keen to point out they would continue to work in the region, even with reduced numbers. Macron says they will remain committed. But to remain committed is also to adapt.